Book Of Tease

Anger

Just as Taehyung began to regain his composure from Jungkook's teasing, his phone buzzed urgently on the nightstand, the ringtone breaking through the room's charged atmosphere. He shot a glance at the screen, noticing the caller ID from his office. A sudden sense of foreboding gripped him, and he picked up the call without hesitation.

The voice on the other end was filled with panic, spilling out words that hit Taehyung like a wave of cold water. There was a major problem with a high-stakes deal, one that could potentially threaten his company's standing. His heart dropped as he processed the news, and his mind spun into overdrive, replaying worst-case scenarios.

Taehyung quickly hung up, his expression shifting from stunned to a tight, contained panic. He grabbed his jacket and keys, moving with jerky, frantic movements as he tried to focus on what he needed to do next.

"Jungkook, I need to go," Taehyung said sharply, his voice strained. He was already halfway to the door, his breaths coming in short, panicked bursts. His hands trembled as he tried to shove his phone into his pocket. "I need to fix this-right now."

Jungkook's easygoing demeanor immediately shifted, sensing the urgency in Taehyung's voice. He stood up quickly, grabbing his own jacket. "I'm coming with you," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. Taehyung didn't protest-he was too caught up in his own turmoil to think about anything else.

They rushed out to Jungkook's car, the tension thick in the air. Jungkook drove them quickly toward Kim Corp's headquarters, sparing a few glances at Taehyung, whose hands clenched tightly around the edge of his seat, his expression blank with barely contained anxiety.

When they arrived, Taehyung barely waited for the car to come to a full stop before he threw the door open and hurried inside. Jungkook followed closely behind, his concern growing as he watched Taehyung's usual composed facade begin to crumble.

Inside the office, chaos reigned. Employees rushed about, their faces tense and drawn. Taehyung's assistant approached with a stack of documents, detailing the crisis that had erupted, but as the updates came, Taehyung's panic only grew. He began pacing back and forth, his mind whirling with anger and frustration. Words spilled out of him in a rapid, frantic stream as he tried to grasp what had gone wrong.

"This shouldn't have happened-how could they let this slip?" Taehyung's voice grew louder, more strained. He gripped the edge of his desk tightly, his knuckles turning white. "If they mess up this deal, it could ruin everything. I need to-" He cut himself off, running a hand through his hair in a desperate attempt to steady himself. His breathing became more erratic, and he looked like he might snap.

Jungkook watched him with growing concern, recognizing the signs of Taehyung's rising panic. He knew that if he didn't intervene, Taehyung would spiral further, letting the pressure of the situation take over. Jungkook quickly crossed the room, stepping in front of Taehyung and catching his arm.

"Taehyung, hey-calm down," Jungkook urged, but his words barely registered as Taehyung's gaze darted around the room, his mind lost in a haze of stress.

Without a second thought, Jungkook pressed Taehyung back against the nearest wall, pinning him there with firm but gentle hands on his shoulders. The action forced Taehyung to stop in his tracks, his eyes going wide with surprise as he looked up at Jungkook.

But instead of finding comfort in Jungkook's presence, Taehyung felt his frustration boil over. He pushed against Jungkook's chest, struggling to free himself from the grip, but Jungkook remained steady, holding him in place.

Taehyung's face twisted in anger, and before he even realized what he was doing, his hand lashed out, delivering a sharp slap to Jungkook's cheek. The sound echoed in the office, and time seemed to freeze as both of them registered what had just happened.

Jungkook's head turned slightly from the force of the slap, a red mark quickly forming on his left cheek. He took a slow breath, his jaw tensing, but he didn't let go of Taehyung's shoulders. Instead, he met Taehyung's wild gaze with calm, unflinching eyes.

Taehyung froze, his anger evaporating in an instant as he saw the red mark blooming on Jungkook's cheek. His breath caught in his throat, and a wave of guilt washed over him, drowning out the panic from before. Tears welled up in his eyes, and his voice broke as he spoke.

"Jungkook... I-I didn't mean to-" Taehyung stammered, his voice barely a whisper as he reached out a trembling hand toward Jungkook's cheek. "I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to hurt you."

Jungkook's expression softened, a small, teasing smile curling at the corners of his lips despite the pain on his cheek. "Oh, so now you're worried about me, huh?" he murmured, his voice taking on a teasing lilt. "If you're really that sorry, why don't you take care of me?"

Taehyung's guilt only deepened at the lighthearted response, his tears spilling over as he tried to steady his breathing. He reached up with both hands, cradling Jungkook's face gently as if afraid of hurting him further. "I... I'll get you some ice," he said quickly, his voice wavering with emotion. "Please, let me make it better."

Jungkook, however, took the opportunity to lean closer, his voice dropping to a playful whisper. "Or... you could just kiss it better," he suggested, his breath ghosting over Taehyung's ear.

Taehyung's cheeks flamed at the suggestion, the redness spreading down his neck as he stared up at Jungkook with wide, tear-filled eyes. He shook his head, biting his lower lip as he tried to keep himself from crying any further. "Jungkook, this isn't funny. I hurt you... it's my fault you're in pain."

Jungkook's expression softened at the genuine distress in Taehyung's eyes, and he released his hold on the older man's shoulders, instead cupping his face with gentle hands. He pressed his forehead against Taehyung's, his voice softening as he spoke. "Hey, I'm okay, Taehyung. It was just a slap-nothing I can't handle. Don't beat yourself up over it, okay?"

Taehyung nodded shakily, his tears still falling as he struggled to calm down. He pressed his hands against Jungkook's chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath his fingertips. Jungkook's warmth seeped into him, grounding him in a way that nothing else could.

After a moment, Jungkook pulled back slightly, offering Taehyung a gentle smile. "But if you're still feeling bad about it, how about you make up for it with dinner tonight?" he teased, trying to lighten the mood. "Or... you know, a kiss on the cheek might work, too."

Taehyung let out a watery laugh, swiping at his tear-streaked cheeks with the back of his hand. He shot Jungkook a weak glare, but there was no heat behind it-only a lingering gratitude that Jungkook had been there to catch him when he was falling apart.

"Fine, fine," Taehyung mumbled, the corners of his lips twitching upward despite himself. "But... don't think this means I'm letting you off the hook for everything else."

Jungkook grinned, reaching up to ruffle Taehyung's hair. "Wouldn't have it any other way," he replied, a hint of fondness creeping into his tone as he watched Taehyung slowly find his footing again.

As they stood close, Jungkook couldn't resist adding one last teasing remark. He leaned in slightly, brushing his lips just below Taehyung's ear, his voice low. "You know," he whispered, his breath warm against Taehyung's skin, "I think your red cheeks and those teary eyes are my new favorite view."

Taehyung's eyes widened, and the flush on his cheeks darkened to a deep crimson as he tried to look anywhere but at Jungkook. He mumbled something incoherent, his lips trembling, and Jungkook chuckled softly, enjoying every second of Taehyung's flustered state.

And as the tension between them settled into something calmer, something warmer, Taehyung found himself clinging to the steady presence beside him, knowing that no matter what challenges lay ahead, he wasn't facing them alone.